The Skin Thief

Chapter 63

"You need to come with me."

My mouth goes dry as Marcus says those words. In my chest, my heart thunders wildly and for a few moments, my mind goes completely blank.

"Is something wrong?" I finally manage to spit out.

Marcus' jaw tightens and he stares into my eyes intensely.

"It is a matter of Realm security," he tells me and a burst of terrified adrenaline pumps through me. I clench my hands into tight fists, trying to keep them from trembling.

He's caught me. He knows it was me. Tears sting my eyes and I mentally prepare myself. I'm not going down without a fight.

"I need your help, Ivy," he says.

I almost let out a breath of relief.

"My help?" I ask, then open the door wider, gesturing for him to come in. "What can I help with? I'm just a low-level analyst, Marcus. Why would you need my help with something so important?"

He sighs and steps into my flat. Watching him walk into here, my safe space, makes a cold chill spread over my body. This is the one place I can be the real me and having him here tarnishes that.

"There has been an incident," he tells me.

"Okay? But what does that incident have to do with you coming to my flat at," I pause and look at my watch. "Nine-thirty at night?"

He turns and looks me in the eyes. "Please, Ivy, I'll explain everything later, I promise. Can you just come with me?"

It's a trap.

I push that voice out of my mind. This is what Cobalt wanted. The whole point of leaving the message in Athainian was to get me closer to Marcus. It isn't a trap. If he were going to arrest me, if he knew what I was, he wouldn't lure me away. He'd storm in and take me out before I even knew what was happening.

Relax, Rowan.

"Okay," I sigh. "I'll come with you."

"Thank you," he replies, sounding relieved.

"I'll just get changed. I'm assuming I need to wear my smart clothes like I do at work?" I ask.

"Yes," he says, then sighs. "And I hate to say this, but if you could dress as attractively as you can, then this may work."

I roll my eyes and nod my head. "I can do that," I tell him, then gesture to my sofa. "Well, take a seat. I'll try and be quick."

"Thank you, Ivy," he says and smiles softly. My heart flutters seeing it and I nod my head.

"You're welcome," I reply, then turn and make my way quickly to my room. As soon as I shut the door behind me, I let out a long breath.

Connor stands up from where he'd been sitting on my bed.

"I've got to go with him," I whisper. His eyes widen and he shakes his head.

"It's too risky," he replies.

"I have no choice," I reply. "I'll be fine, trust me."

He looks down at the floor. I walk over to him and put my hands on his shoulders.

"I've got this," I whisper, making him look into my eyes. His jaw clenches, but he reluctantly nods his head.

"Now, I need to get changed."

"I'll just go back into my flat," he replies.

"And risk Marcus hearing a strange thump as you climb through? No way. Just wait until we're gone," I say to him as I pull out one of my best dresses and begin to change.